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Pluto’s planetary status defended on the Daily Show
January 31, 2009 By
It’s the Year of the Ox!
January 29, 2009 By
The Chinese New Year occurred at the time of the New Moon and the eclipse, ushering us into the Year of the Ox. I confess I don’t know much… well really, anything about Chinese astrology except that I am supposedly a dragon which I always thought sounded cool.
At any rate, this is the year of the Ox, which seems to have some similarities with the sign of Taurus and its symbol the Bull. Wikipedia says that the Ox is the sign of prosperity through hard work and perseverance, which sounds rather like Capricorn. Over the past fifteen years as Pluto traveled through Sagittarius, we have wanted our prosperity to come easily and quickly. Pluto’s entry into the hard working sign of Capricorn would rather we base our prosperity on something real and lasting.
Evidently some Chinese astrologers predict difficulties for President Barack Obama, who was born under the Ox sign, saying that when an Ox faces the Ox energy in an Ox year, he can face resistance. I actually don’t think you have to be an astrologer to make that prediction!!
Who is Timothy Geithner?
January 28, 2009 By
Timothy Geithner is the man that Barack Obama has entrusted with the challenging task of rescuing our economy from a global recession that astrologers have been expecting for many years. I have some doubts as to how much rescuing can actually be done until the diseased underlying system is rebuilt, but I am very curious to know more about Mr. Geithner.
Very little is known about Mr. Geithner, but there is no doubt that he has been a part of the financial establishment that is now in so much distress. He began his career with Kissinger and Associates, and then worked in the International Affairs division of the US Treasury. He was a Senior Fellow for the Council of Foreign Relations, and most recently was president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Geithner’s astrological chart (born 8/18/1961, no known birthtime) shows an interesting combination of the bold and the cautious. Like Obama, he has the Sun in cheerful and energetic Leo, and it conjuncts Uranus almost exactly revealing an iconoclastic streak and an inventive approach to life. Mercury is present too, making this a triple Leo conjunction with Uranus at its center. The Sun/Mercury conjunction typically denotes an extremely bright individual, and Uranus tends to add a component of brilliance that is often found in the charts of inventors and great thinkers such as Marcel Proust who has been called the greatest novelist of the 20th century.
It’s interesting that he grew up abroad in Zimbabwe, India and Japan which likely informed his world view, which judging from his chart would embrace a wide variety of beliefs and ideas.
Saturn in Geithner’s chart is retrograde AND in Capricorn, the sign ruled by Saturn, all of which show that Saturn is very pronounced in this chart. Individuals with Saturn in Capricorn often feel the need to work harder than anyone else, and there is often a sense that no matter how much they achieve it is never enough. When Saturn is retrograde, the critical voice of Saturn can be turned inward, making this a rather relentless drive towards ever greater perfection. Jupiter, also retrograde, conjoins Saturn here which shows that Geithner’s sense of optimism and abundance (Jupiter) is tied in to his ability to achieve (Saturn). Jupiter retrograde people are late bloomers, and they often don’t realize their good fortune until later in life.
The combination of Jupiter and Saturn may serve to tamp down any extreme desire for a reckless alteration of the status quo that the Sun/Uranus/Mercury conjunction may wish for. Saturn also opposes Venus in Geithner’s chart, revealing a somewhat insecure nature and an individual who may lack social skills. His Mars is in Libra, where it is being pounded right now by a square of Pluto which began last year. Still, Mars in Libra is an excellent placement for a diplomat and someone who can measure all sides of a situation before making a decision, and his progressed Sun is also in Libra which amplifies this ability.
Geithner has a deeply intense emotional nature with the Moon in Scorpio, but it trines Venus in Cancer which suggests a successful home life despite the insecurities of the opposition of Saturn. That Scorpio Moon gives him emotional tenacity, but also the potential to hold grudges and become overly involved emotionally with the outcome of a particular decision.
We don’t know Geithner’s birth time so we can’t tell his ascendant or rising sign, but from what we can see he does not appear to be doing through any challenging transits right now other than the square of Pluto to his Mars. Warning: geeky astrological language ahead. But Mars in the progressed chart is in harmony with Mars in the natal chart, signifying an ability to get things done now, and Pluto is in harmonious aspect (sextile) with the progressed Mars. The combination of a challenging transit of Pluto to Mars with a harmonious one signifies a period of great accomplishment.
After looking at the chart, I feel better about having this man in charge of the American economic system. However, I don’t have much hope that it can be rescued without a complete overhaul.
Pondering the question of Fate
January 27, 2009 By
The latest issue of The Mountain Astrologer has an article by Brad Kochunas which kind of bothered me. The article is called “In Praise of Melancholy,” so I expected to love it in light of my recent article “The Joy of Sadness.” Kochunas writes:
Our psychological orientation via the humanistic transpersonal perspective is that we should spend our lives enthusiastically committed to seeking personal growth, self-actualization, peak experiences, liberation (i.e., expanded perspective)
so far so good…but here’s where he loses me:
and – with the recent emphasis on positive psychology – happiness. This manic search leaves us with a lopsided vision of the world. I might argue that life is too precious and brief to exhaust it seeking enlightenment.
Kochunas then goes on to ask: “Is it possible that the pervasive presence of depression in our nation arises from the inevitable voices of Saturn and Pluto trying to be heard in a culture bent upon endless growth while denying both decline and demise?” Yes, absolutely? But one can experience deeply the darkness of Saturn and Pluto yet still use those experiences for personal growth and ultimately the ability to walk in and out of the dark realms without getting stuck there.
This portion of the article really annoyed me since this speaks directly to the work that I do in my own practice:
[A]strology has followed [the field of psychology] in its efforts to assist clients to find happiness, success, health, wealth and the reassurance that they are living their lives in a manner that will get them what they want. This narcissistic focus has brought about a loss of soul, a dismissal of Fate and a secularizing perspective to astrology. There is a certain hubris and shame in the idea of using the vast pulsating energy of the cosmos, the very power of the gods, as a tool for satisfying egoistic desires for personal comfort and gain. … [T]he Fate of the moment is complete as it is and in perfect accord with the heavens.
My own life experience is completely at odds with this entire attitude. If I had been told as a younger person that my Moon/Pluto conjunction and Saturn/Sun/Neptune stellium consigned me to the life of misery that I was experiencing, and that I should just realize that my Fate of the moment was perfect and that I should not attempt to grow stronger and more spiritually aware in a way that would bring me greater joy and yes, happiness, I would have killed myself right then and there.
My personal theology is that a kind and loving Universe has provided us with gods in the guise of the planets who come to us as teachers. We do not arrive on Earth fully formed, like automatons living out a life that was mapped out for us and marching in lockstep with our Fate. The gods in our chart say, here are your challenges and your gifts. How are you going to use them to fulfill your destiny? Are you going to continue to grow, or are you going to sit back and allow yourself to live a reactive life?
I understand that a great many more traditional astrologers look at the kind of transformational astrology that some of us practice and shudder at the lack of structure and definition. No cookbook explanations that work for everyone – no specific patterns of delineations that are followed the same way each time for each client. Of course I agree that to live a life focused on personal gain is a shallow way to use your precious life, but I believe at the core of my being that the ever-unfolding process of spiritual awareness and wisdom is the reason that we come here at all.
This seems a rich topic for discussion, yes?
One final (I promise!) look at the Void Moon in Presidential Inaugurations
January 26, 2009 By
This is a research project that I have been pondering, and now astrologer Rodney Smith has done the work for me:
The interest in the Void-Of-Course moon (VOC) and the presidential inauguration on this blog has prompted me to do some research. Where a President dies or resigns the office, the Vice-President completes the Presidential term as President. This is called Presidency by succession.
The following figures have been rounded within acceptable error for simplicity’s sake- The basic facts,
• One in six presidential terms have been completed by succession.
• One in six VOC presidential terms have been completed by succession
• One in four presidential terms begin under VOC
• One in four inaugurations occur under VOC
Primary conclusion: VOC has no noticeable effect on whether or not a president finishes his or her term.
The remainder of the post lists every presidential inauguration that has taken place under the Void Moon. Rodney has used only the five classical planets and has not included Uranus, Neptune, Pluto or Chiron. Even so, his conclusions are indisputable.
The Void Moon is a construct which comes from the horary branch of astrology which seeks to answer questions based on the astrological chart for the moment the question is asked. In this context the Moon, being the fastest moving planet, tells much of the story. All indications are taken into consideration – hence the concept of the Moon being Void as it hurtles unobstructed into the next sign.
Hopefully this comprehensive research will set many minds at ease!!
The ethics of prediction
January 25, 2009 By
Mercury retrograde periods are a great time for reposting! I’m taking a few days off for some other creative projects so meanwhile please enjoy some of my favorite articles from the past, and please be kind to each other in the comments.
In browsing around for interesting astrology news I came across this in a forum on relationships:
I happen to analyse my horoscope.One astrologer told my marriage life is going to be full of problems and difficulties. I will go to the extent of commiting suicide I will have to face so many problems. I was really worried abt it.I told my would be abt it.He scolded dont believe in this all.I was very much worried on what the astrologer told.Pls tell me wat u peole say? should i beleive this or not
The querent lives in India so I assume his astrologer followed Vedic principles, and the Vedics are very much based in prediction of the future. Regardless of the type of astrology one practices, there are two issues here.
First, there is no way to predict for certain whether someone will commit suicide or how a difficult chart will turn out. I have seen people with incredibly difficult charts who have worked very hard through their issues to gain wisdom and inner peace. Second, nearly everyone in the psychic field agrees that it is unethical to predict a negative future for an individual; first, some of the most amazing experiences occur through difficult times and second, if you instill fear in that client they will create their own disaster. Certainly when a Pluto transit is coming that will hit the clients Chiron/Moon conjunction which squares Pluto, you know there will be some kind of trouble. But there are keys to navigating those rough waters so that the client can get the most out of the process.
I hope that this individual was able to find better advice. It’s astrology “readings” like this that give us all a bad name.
Pluto, the Bomb, Terrorism and Ceres
January 24, 2009 By
Mercury retrograde periods are a great time for reposting! I’m taking a few days off for some other creative projects so meanwhile please enjoy some of my favorite articles from the past.
With my Mercury (thoughts and communication) in Scorpio (ruled by Pluto), Pluto’s naturally been on my mind (Mercury) a lot in a moderately obsessive (Pluto/Scorpio) way. To me the interesting thing isn’t Pluto’s so-called “demotion” (because how can the Lord of Death be demoted?). It’s the addition of Ceres to the mix.
I’ll be writing more about the whole Virgo/Cancer debate later, but there are some interesting facts about Ceres/Demeter and her relationship to the underworld that may be significant. Of course Ceres/Demeter is best known for the tale in which her daughter Persephone/Kore was abducted by Hades/Pluto into the underworld, but Ceres/Demeter herself was instrumental in the concept of resurrection. (The Romans adopted the Greek gods and the names were changed but the myths remained virtually identical.)
Barbara Walker’s amazing book The Secrets of the Tarot reveals that Demeter’s principal temple, Eleusis, was the site of resurrection rituals that may have been the precursor to the Christian myths. Demeter was the Mistress of Earth and Sea, promising to multiply loaves and fishes; her savior-son of various names was called the “Liberator”. During the rituals of the Eleusinian mysteries the seed of Dionysus was killed (reaped), buried (planted) and resurrected (sprouted), with his flesh eaten as bread and his blood drunk as wine. (Sound familiar?) During the ritual, the priestess and hierophant perform the “Great Rite,” re-enacting the coupling between Demeter and Zeus which conceived the child Dionysus. This Great Rite was thought to bring about the regeneration of the earth and the forgiveness of sins.
During Christian times Demeter was informally canonized as St. Demetra who according to legend also had a daughter, kidnapped this time by a wicked Turkish wizard. When a young man tries to rescue Demetra’s daughter he is captured and dismembered, and Demetra resurrects him so that her daughter can be rescued.
Pluto’s discovery in 1930 brought with it the introduction of the atomic bomb and the fear of ultimate annhilation, the ultimate power. In these days of terrorism when a single individual with a toiletry bottle can potentially wipe out thousands of people, our concept of power is changing. In centuries past, whichever country had the biggest guns had the most power. When the US was the only nation with the bomb we were the only superpower. When Russia developed the bomb, they were the other superpower. At this time nine nations have nuclear weapons, with several more to attain that status soon (including Iran). The whole concept of power, as embodied in the archetype of Pluto, is changing and this will become very clear in the 2010-2013 square of Uranus in Aries to Pluto in Capricorn. The power of Pluto hasn’t lessened one iota, but it has become universalized rather than being owned by just a few countries and individuals. Perhaps this is symbolized by the reclassification of Pluto as a dwarf planet, a status shared by many others.
Perhaps too the introduction of Ceres/Demeter into the Plutonic archetype offers hope for resurrection and regeneration from Pluto’s threat of total destruction.
What is compatibility?
January 23, 2009 By
Mercury retrograde periods are a great time for reposting! I’m taking a few days off for some other creative projects so meanwhile please enjoy some of my favorite articles from the past.
We have been duped by Hollywood and our own sense of incompleteness into believing that somewhere there is one perfect person who is our “other half,” someone who is our perfect complement and will make us feel whole again.
This fantasy is problematic for several reasons. As any of us who have been in dysfunctional relationships knows, two incomplete people coming together do not form one perfect whole. The goal is to become complete in oneself, to learn and grow and evolve into a fully actualized being. In order for that to happen we often need certain experiences which will teach us and put us in touch with various aspects of ourselves. Some of us do this through our work, some through family, some through romantic relationships.
Compatibility is rarely a factor in attraction, because it doesn’t create that attractive spark. We are more likely to be attracted to mates who stimulate us because they are different, who open doorways into worlds that are new to us. Perfect compatibility is boring – it’s sitting on the sofa watching tv for the rest of our lives. Few of us are really looking for this kind of relationship.
The arena(s) in which we will do most of our soul growth is/are indicated in the natal astrological chart. A soulmate relationship generally begins with a feeling of fatedness and kinship, which signifies that there will be contact on a soul level. This does not necessarily mean that marriage and a lifetime of perfect harmony will follow, but rather than this relationship will provide lessons and growth experiences for you. It is not unusual for this kind of relationship to fall away once the lessons have been learned so that the individual can move on to the next level.
Compatibility analysis using astrological symbolism can identify areas of tension and ease between two people, and identify areas of compatibility and the source of challenges that the couple are likely to encounter. It can also offer solutions to aid in resolving longstanding conflicts. But the real question for me is not “are these two compatible?” Instead my question is: Does this relationship aid both individuals in their growth and can they have a good time along the way?
Chiron, the Wounded Healer
January 23, 2009 By
Mercury retrograde periods are a great time for reposting! I’m taking a few days off for some other creative projects so meanwhile please enjoy some of my favorite articles from the past.
In mythology, Chiron was born of Philyra, mortal woman, and Saturn, immortal god. In order to escape Saturn’s amorous pursuit, Philyra had herself turned into a mare; however, Saturn outsmarted her and shapeshifted into a horse in order to accomplish his intention to rape her. When Chiron was born half horse and half man, like a Centaur, Philyra was so ashamed she abandoned him in a cave, thus establishing the deep psychic wound for which Chiron is well-known.
Being one-half god, Chiron was immortal and thus survived this early abandonment. He went on to study with the god Apollo, who some say became his foster father. There Chiron learned the arts of music and homeopathic healing, as well as skills such as archery, hunting, and the art of warmaking. He was wounded when a poison arrow struck him in the leg. Because he was partly immortal, the wound did not kill him but kept him in pain for the rest of his life. He achieved death by trading places with Prometheus, who had been bound to a rock by Zeus in punishment for mocking him. In allowing himself to be bound to the rock, Chiron released his immortality and was able to find peace through death.
Although Chiron was half horse and half man, he is very different from other Centaurs in mythology who were known for their drunken worship of the vine and Dionysus, and enthusiasm for fighting. Those Centaurs were a primitive tribe from the mountains of Magnesia and were the spawn of the cloud nymph Nephele and the Lapith King Ixion.
Some astrologers believe that Chiron is the Centaur associated with Sagittarius, but I do not believe that to be true. Chiron is remembered for his wisdom, and for his having been a mentor to some of the great heroes of Greek history, such as Asclepius, Jason of the Argonauts, Achilles, and Hercules. Faced with intensely difficult challenges, he overcame the limits placed upon him by his circumstances (astrologically represented by Saturn) and attained great wisdom and achievement in many aspects of life. I feel that Chiron is more accurately a ruler of Virgo along with Mercury, because of the concern of Virgo with the mind/body/soul connection. Virgo also struggles between the difficulties of being in mortal form and strives for greater wisdom and perfection.
Astronomically, Chiron is classified as one of the Centaurs, a collection of minor planets found between Saturn and Uranus. However, because Chiron exhibited a “coma”, or tail, some astronomers wanted to classify Chiron as a comet. Currently, it is officially classified as BOTH a comet and a minor planet. Chiron’s orbit takes 50.7 years, but due to its elliptical orbit it moves through some signs much more quickly than others. It takes about 8 years to travel through Aries when it is farthest from the sun, and less than 1-1/2 years to travel through Libra. (Source: Zane Stein.)
Astrologically, Chiron’s place in the birthchart shows a deep and early wound which cannot heal. The sign that Chiron falls in shows us how that wound is likely to be felt. For example, a person with Chiron in Libra experiences great pain in relationships until they face the original source of their pain and embrace it rather than avoid it. Chiron’s house placement gives a clue to where we are likely to reexperience that wound. For example, someone with Chiron in the second house of money, self-esteem and personal resources is apt to have their ability to earn or build financial stability wrapped up in their damaged self-esteem.
Planetary transits to Chiron in our chart can open up that wound again and expose it to light so that it can be further healed. This can be a painful process, but also a rewarding one as we become a little more whole each time we face the past we hide from ourselves. When transiting Chiron aspects one of the other planets in our chart, particularly one of the personal planets (Sun, Moon, Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter) there is a great opening that occurs for energy to be released and great healing to occur.
Planetary news this week!
January 23, 2009 By
The next few days bring some powerful influences. A conjunction of the Sun to Jupiter is a beneficial influence that adds confidence to all of our endeavors, and a trine of Mars (energy) to Saturn (discipline) helps to provide the focus to get things done and manifest our desires and wishes. Venus (relating to others) forms a sextile to Mars (aggression) which helps to energize our relationships and aid in collaborative ventures. However, an opposition of Saturn to Venus suggests that there may be tests and challenges in our interpersonal relationships that will require some work to navigate successfully.
All of this leads up to a powerful Solar Eclipse, one of an amazing six eclipses in 2009. The eclipse on January 26 occurs in a New Moon in Aquarius at 2:55 am EST. This New Moon is a potent Aquarian fiesta, with Jupiter conjunct the Sun and Moon, and Chiron and Neptune also in the sign of Aquarius. A New Moon is a time of new beginnings, and in Aquarius we see an emphasis on Justice, innovation, invention, community. Eclipses can be significant harbingers of a shift in awareness or focus, and this one, coming so closely after the inauguration of Barack Obama, is certain to energize the power of that new beginning for the US and the rest of the world as well.
Mercury (the mental function) forms a sextile to Venus on the day of the eclipse, a planetary combination that enhances creativity and facilitates understanding, and is energized by Mars the following day (January 27th). The mind is a crucial player in the Aquarian drama, and the fact that Mercury is so active now suggests that it will be easier to bring our mental processes on board with the consciousness shift occurring now.
